Today at 9:30 GMT, or 4:30 a.m. ET, the World T20s rolls on when Afghanistan and Hong Kong get ready to rumble in the 5th match from Chittagong, Bangladesh. This Group A action can be live streamed for free by clicking this link.
Both sides began the World T20 in poor fashion, with Afghanistan falling to host Bangladesh, while Hong Kong couldn't get by Nepal. The Afghans allowed Bangladesh to score 12.1 overs as well as pick up six wickets in an embarrassing defeat. Offensively the Afghans were stagnant as well, amassing just 71 first innings runs. In addition to putrid batting, Afghanistan lost Mohammad Shahzad on the first ball of the match.
Hong Kong failed to stand up to Nepal's slow bowlers, also surrendering six wickets while scoring a meager 69 runs. The held Nepal to 149 runs, though, so glimmers of hope exist, but neither squad will feel very good about itself when this match gets underway.
Samiullah Shenwari looms as a major threat to Hong Kong today, as the all-rounder figures to have an impact all over the oval. In the Asia Cup he racked up two 50s, while having economical outings as well. However, as mentioned earlier, Hong Kong's bowlers weren't too shabby vs. Nepal in their World T20 opener.
They must get better production from the batsmen, which could be provided by captain Jamie Atkinson. The skipper is the first 1990s-born player to participate in international ODIs and posted an average of 35 in T20-style cricket.
STARTING SQUADS:
Afghanistan (from)
Mohammad Nabi (capt), Asghar Stanikzai, Dawlat Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Hamid Hassan, Hamza Hotak, Karim Sadiq, Mirwais Ashraf, Najibullah Taraki, Najibullah Zadran, Nawroz Mangal, Samiullah Shenwari, Mohammad Shahzad, Shafiqullah, Shapoor Zadran.
Hong Kong (from)
Jamie Atkinson (capt), Wagas Barkat, Mark Chapman, Irfan Ahmed, Nadeem Ahmed, Haseeb Amjad, Tanwir Afzal, Babar Hayat, Nizakat Khan, Ajzaz Khan, Najeeb Amar, Munir Dar, Ehsan Nawaz, Roy Lamsam, Kinchit Shah.
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